Varicella refers to which illness?

• A. Chicken pox
• B. Measles
• C. Mumps
• D. Rubella

Answer: (A)

Varicella refers to chickenpox, the illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is highly contagious and usually presents with an itchy vesicular rash that starts on the trunk and spreads to the face and limbs, often along with fever and malaise. This illness is distinct from the other options: measles is caused by a Morbillivirus and typically includes cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a rash with Koplik spots; mumps is an infection of the salivary glands caused by a paramyxovirus; rubella (German measles) causes a mild pink/red rash with low-grade fever. A useful extra detail is that after the initial infection, the varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant and later reactivate as shingles. Vaccination can prevent varicella.